Imaging ToF-SIMS and synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FT-IR) microspectroscopy have been used to obtain chemical information from individual cells derived from human prostate cancer (CaP). ToF-SIMS imaging of molecular signals characteristic of membrane bound phospholipids are used to elucidate different fracture planes within individual freeze-fractured CaP cells. The localisation of Cu within the cytoplasm of cancer cells is consistent with increased metastatic potential. Line scans across CaP cells using SR-FT-IR micro spectroscopy provide complimentary information on the localisation (+/-1 mum) of lipid and protein domains. This combined analytical approach offers a novel means of characterising individual CaP cells and investigating the biochemical basis of disease progression and metastases. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.